The Verge - Nintendo at E3: Wii U, Pro Controller, 'Miiverse' online services, and new games

Why the Wii U's GamePad controller won't have a multitouch screen, and other tidbits from Reggie Fils-Aime

2012-06-13T05:53:01Z

We've learned quite a bit about the Wii U over the past week — just check out our E3 StoryStream — but Kotaku did get a few more choice tidbits in an interview with Nintendo of America's outspoken president Reggie Fils-Aime. First and foremoest, while the touchscreen on the Wii U GamePad does support both finger and stylus input, it's not a multitouch screen like the one on your tablet phone, and Fils-Aime explained that while it does bring down the cost, it's mainly just a matter of the way you're expected to hold it. Here's an excerpt:

"When we went through the building of this and, given some of the functionality, we thought that single-touch was a more appropriate option, especially when you've got other button configurations."

A...

Nintendo's Wii U GamePad battery lasts 3 to 5 hours, charging takes 2.5 hours

2012-06-06T02:49:51Z

Nintendo's decision to put a 6.2-inch LCD touchscreen in its Wii U GamePad is one of the most creative gaming ideas we've seen since the original Wii Remote, but we’ve been wondering how often we’ll have to plug in the oversized controller to keep it charged. Well, according to a spec sheet on Nintendo’s Japanese site, the battery lasts three to five hours, depending on the screen’s brightness setting. That's a lot less time than the 20-plus hours we usually get from our PS3 controllers, but at least Nintendo isn't shipping a tablet controller with AA batteries. In order to restore the GamePad to full power you'll need to charge it for two and a half hours, which means you’ll have to stay tethered through those marathon N...

Nintendo is readying a way to transfer Wii games and save files to Wii U

2012-06-06T02:26:46Z

Nintendo's Wii U Developer Discussion has been going on for quite some time, recapping much of NintendoLand and other announcements from this morning's press conference. But here's something interesting from the Q&A portion: asked if Wii owners will be able to transfer their downloaded Wii and Virtual Console games over to Wii U, a Nintendo producer answered rather positively: "we are readying the system to be able to transfer saves and everything you've bought."

It's a delicate situation, especially given the Wii's console-tied system for downloaded content — all purchases are non-transferable to other hardware, and with a broken / sold Wii, so goes your digital library. As for the logistics, Nintendo had nothing more to say and moved...

'Runner 2' headed to Wii U

2012-06-05T23:50:51Z

Runner 2, Gaijin Games HD sequel to Bit. Trip Runner, will also be coming to the Wii U when it hits the PS3 and Xbox 360 later this year, the developers said today.

Bit.Trip Runner had players take control of Commander Video as they maneuver through the 2D platformer world.

The sequel, Bit. Trip Presents Runner 2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien, will include GamePad support, music by chiptune artist Disasterpeace, ten playable characters including CommandgirlVideo, Unkle Dill and Whetfahrt Cheeseborger, more then ten new gameplay abilities and unlockable costumes, according to the press official website.

Marvel Pinball 3D announced for 3DS

2012-06-05T21:22:57Z

Zen Studios has announced plans to bring their insanely popular Marvel Pinball platform to the the 3DS eShop this summer with Marvel Pinball 3D. Priced at $7.99 USD, Marvel Pinball 3D will initially include Iron Man, Captain America, Blade, and Fantastic Four tables. If other platforms are any indication, additional tables based on other Marvel properties are sure to launch later this year.

'Pokemon Conquest' trailer shows fuedal Pokemon-on-Pokemon action

2012-06-05T18:39:54Z

Nintendo released a new trailer for Pokemon Conquest this morning following the company's E3 press conference.

The trailer demonstrates how battles are set up and how to capture and train Pokemon. The game requires players to form special "Links" with their Pokemon in order to harness their power and use them in battle. Players must use their team of creatures to defeat powerful warlords and conquer their lands.

New Super Mario Bros. U features flying raccoon suit, 5 player gaming

2012-06-05T17:05:49Z

New Super Mario Bros. U is a five player game that lets Mario transform into a flying raccoon and grants players the ability to help and harass with the GamePad's touch screen.

While the first Mario game for the Wii U looks a lot like a much more beautiful New Super Marios Bros. Wii, up to four players control characters with a Wii Remote as they traverse a 2D platform-laden world, the game does have some new tricks as well.

In Boost Play a player can tap the gamepad to drop platforms into the game. The platforms, players can drop up to four at a time, shrink away once a character lands on them. Double tapping the screen drops a smaller platform that spews out coins when a character lands on it.

The game can be also be played...

Nintendo Land could be Wii U's system selling new game

2012-06-05T17:02:16Z

Nintendo knows the value of turning a tutorial into something more game than instruction. Wii Sports, a collection of mini-games created to essentially familiarize new Wii owners with motion gaming, became a system seller.

While Nintendo reps declined to tell Polygon if Nintendo Land will be a game included with the Wii U, time spent with the game made it clear that it too artfully familiarizes gamers with a new way to game, and does so in a way that could convert new fans.

Nintendo Land is a virtual Nintendo theme park for your Mii, Nintendo reps told Polygon during a recent demo of the game.

The virtual theme park has a dozen attractions, each based on a particular Nintedo game.

While the concept behind Nintendo Land is to introduce...